Device for fixing articles in frame structures

ABSTRACT

A number of parallel grooves are formed in the inner wall surfaces of the side members of a frame, the grooves being parallel to the side members and being, in cross sectional view, in a row perpendicular to the plane of the frame, and a cross member is inserted at its ends in these grooves at each frame corner in a gusset-like manner and supports pressing means such as a tightening screw or a spring which presses against an article such as a picture thereby to hold and fix the same in the frame.

United States Patent Shimizu [451 June 20, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR FIXINGARTICLES IN 2,523,815 9 1950 Cloyd ..40/156 FRAIVIE STRUCTURES 2,523,8169/1950 Roehrl ..40/ 156 [72] Inventor: Akira Shimizu, Hiratsuka, JapanFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Pilot Man-Nen-HitsuKabushiki Kaisha, 3,850 2/ 1913 Great Britain ..40/152 Tokyo-to, Japan281,970 7/1952 Switzerland ..40/156 [22] 1970 Primary ExaminerRobert w.Michell [2]] Appl. No.: 66,709 Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. ContrerasAttorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data [57] ABSTRACT Aug. 26, 1969 Japan ..44/81425 A number ofparallel grooves are formed in the inner wall faces of the side membersof a frame, the grooves being paral- (g1 [e] to the side membem andbeing in cross Sectional View in a row perpendicular to the plane of theframe, and a cross [58] Field of Search.... ..40/152, 156, 52/475 memberis inserted at its ends in these grooves at each frame [56] ReferencesCited comer in a gusset-like manner and supports pressing means such asa tightening screw or a spring which presses against an UNITED STATESPATENTS article such as a picture thereby to hold and fix the same inthe frame. 893,392 7/1908 Sincock ..40/156 UX 2,450,330 9/1948 De Giers..40/156 X 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJun 20 m2 FIG.5

FIG.3

FIG.4(c) FlG.4(b)

DEVICE FOR FIXING ARTICLES IN FRAME STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to frame structures of thetype for holding objects therein and more particularly to a new andimproved device for fixedly but detachably holding articles insertedinto picture frames and other frame structures.

Heretofore, in order to fixedly secure an article such as a picture in apicture frame or like structure, it has been possible in the case wherethe thickness of the inserted article and the corresponding dimension ofthe accommodating space in the frame structure are substantially equal,to fix the article under pressure exerted by holding members mounted onthe frame structure. In the case where the thickness of the insertedarticle is less than the depth of the accommodating space, however, ithas been necessary to use a packing or stuffing material, whichnecessity has been considerably inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a simple and inexpensive device for fixedly holding articles ofvarious thicknesses within frame structures without the necessity ofusing compensating members such as packing, stuffing, or wedgematerials.

According to the present invention, briefly summarized, there isprovided a device for fixing an article in a frame structure whichdevice is characterized by the combination of a plurality of parallelgrooves formed in the frame structure with their openings on the innerside thereof and at least one holding device fitted into the grooves andfunctioning to fix the article in the frame structure.

The nature, details, and utility of the invention willbe more clearlyapparent from the following detailed description with respect topreferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which like parts are designated by likereference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one example of a frame structure in whichthe holding device of the invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, relatively-enlarged plan view showing a cornerpart of the frame structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line Ill IIIin FIG. 2, as viewed in the arrow direction;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are respectively plan and side views of a basemember for use in the holding device of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the base member shown in FIG.4 in assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawing, the frame structure shownis made up essentially of side members 2 joined at their ends 1 by 45plain miter joints. Each side member 2 is provided along the inner sidethereof with longitudinal ridges 4 and 41 in mutually opposeddisposition parallel to the frame outer edge surface 3 and a groove 5formed between the outer edge part of the side member 2 and the ridges 4and 41. Each side member 2 is further provided with grooves 6, 61, and62 having the same width with openings facing inward and aligned in arow as viewed in cross section of the side member 2.

In the assembly of the frame structure, an L-shaped connector 7 isinserted into the grooves 5 of the ends 1 of each pair of adjacentlyjoined side members 2, and after the mitered mating surfaces of the sidemember ends 1 have been brought into contact, screws 9 are screw intotapped holes 8 provided in the connector 7 to connect the ends 1 of theadjacent frame side members 2.

Alternatively, without using screws, each pair of adjacent side members2 can be connected by deforming the ridges 4 and 41 of the side members2 at both ends of each connector 7 toward the connector 7 thereby tocause the ridges 4 and 41 to press against the connector. Anotherpractical fastening method is to secure one arm of each connector 7 witha screw 9 and the other arm by means of ridges 4 and 41 pressedthereagainst.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an article 10 including acanvas bearing a picture painted thereon is inserted into the framestructure made of side members 2 as described above until the article 10abuts against a rim or inner edge flange l l of the frame.

The article 10 is held in this state by four devices respectively at thefour corners, each device comprising a cross member 12 and a screw 15engaged with a tapped hole 14 in the center of the cross member 12. Theends of the cross member 12, which are cut at a 45 angle, are insertedinto the aforementioned grooves 6 of adjacent side members 2 near themiter joint thereof, and the screw 15 is tightened so that it pressesagainst the article 10, thereby fixedly holding the article 10 in placerelative to the frame.

In another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5,an article 20 (of greater thickness than article 10) is held fixedly inthe frame structure by four holding devices 16 each comprising a crossmember 17 having ends 18 cut at a 45 angle and inserted in the grooves61 of adjacent side members 2 near the miter joints thereof and a springmember 19 fixed at one end to the cross member 17 and adapted to presswith elastic force against the article 20.

When an article of different thickness is to be held in the frame, inthe first example, the screws 15 are moved to make the necessaryadjustment, and in the case when they are moved but are incapable ofmaking the necessary adjustment, the cross members 12 are inserted intoother grooves in more favorable positions. In the second example, use ismade of the spring member 19 fixed to the cross member 17 inserted intoother grooves in more favorable positions.

Because of the above described construction according to the inventionin which a plurality of grooves 6, 61, 62, etc., which are inwardly openare provided parallelly and in a row as viewed in a cross section of theframe side member, the holding devices can be shifted to a suitableposition when an article of different thickness is to be accommodatedthereby to hold securely the article in place in the frame structure.Accordingly, the holding of articles of various thicknesses in the framestructure can be accomplished in an extremely simple and convenientmanner.

I claim:

1. An improved frame device for supporting therein articles of differentthicknesses, comprising in combination a frame member having an inwardlyprojecting flange providing a seat for an article supported in saidframe device and a plurality of inwardly opening grooves parallel tosaid flange and spaced from said flange and from one another so thatindividual grooves are spaced different distances from said flange,article holding means comprising at least one holding member fittingselectively into any one of said grooves, and fastening means actingbetween said holding member and said article to press said articleagainst said flange and to retain said holding member in a selected oneof said grooves.

2. A frame device according to claim 1, in which said frame member isrectangular and a said holding member is provided at each of the cornersof said frame member.

3. A frame device according to claim 2, in which each said holdingmember comprises a bar extending angularly across a respective comer ofsaid frame member and having angled end portions fitting into a selectedgroove in said frame member.

4. A frame device according to claim 1, in which each said holdingmember comprises a cross member having opposite end parts adapted to beinserted in a selected one of said grooves and having a tapped hole, andsaid fastening means is rectangular and each said cross member extendsangularly across an angle of said frame and has angled end portionsextending into said selected groove.

7. A frame device according to claim 6, in which said elastic membercomprises a leaf spring having a portion secured to said cross memberand a portion bearing on said article.

1. An improved frame device for supporting therein articles of differentthicknesses, comprising in combination a frame member having an inwardlyprojecting flange providing a seat for an article supported in saidframe device and a plurality of inwardly opening grooves parallel tosaid flange and spaced from said flange and from one another so thatindividual grooves are spaced different distances from said flange,article holding means comprising at least one holding member fittingselectively intO any one of said grooves, and fastening means actingbetween said holding member and said article to press said articleagainst said flange and to retain said holding member in a selected oneof said grooves.
 2. A frame device according to claim 1, in which saidframe member is rectangular and a said holding member is provided ateach of the corners of said frame member.
 3. A frame device according toclaim 2, in which each said holding member comprises a bar extendingangularly across a respective corner of said frame member and havingangled end portions fitting into a selected groove in said frame member.4. A frame device according to claim 1, in which each said holdingmember comprises a cross member having opposite end parts adapted to beinserted in a selected one of said grooves and having a tapped hole, andsaid fastening means comprises a screw stud engaged in said tapped holeand adapted to press said article against said flange.
 5. A frame deviceaccording to claim 1, in which each said holding member comprises across member having opposite end parts adapted to be inserted in aselected one of said grooves and said fastening means comprises anelastic member acting between said cross member and said article.
 6. Aframe device according to claim 5, in which said frame is rectangularand each said cross member extends angularly across an angle of saidframe and has angled end portions extending into said selected groove.7. A frame device according to claim 6, in which said elastic membercomprises a leaf spring having a portion secured to said cross memberand a portion bearing on said article.